Hydrometer



March 17, 1931. E UNEBARGER 1,796,379

HYDROMETER Filed May 1 1, 1927 Patented an g am l UNITED, STATES PATENT "orrlca cmmnns E. LINEBARGEB, or omcaeo, ILnmoIs I mitomtnrnn' Y Application filed May 14, 1927. 7 Serial No. 191,293.

' of the invention is to provide a very simple.

and convenient means for determining the densities of electrolytes in batteries and at the same time for determining the height of V the electrolyte in the container. The device thus indicates the condition of the electrolyte as to charge and also as to the need for distilled water.

Of the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 isan elevation partly in section of a device which embodies. the features of my invention;"Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of one of the elements forsuspending the hydrometer; and Figs. '3, 4 and 5 are elevations of modified forms of the device.

In general the preferred'application of my invention is to combine the testing element 10 with the vent plug or cap 11 of a storage battery 9 so that, when the cap is removed, the testing element will be removed withthe cap and, at aglance, the condition of the battery will be indicated, both as to the degree of charge and the elevation of the level of the electrolyte.

The testing element or tube 10 is supported by the cap in any suitable manner, such as by means of the ordinary detachable baflle disk 13, and b the use of the supportingelement 14. T e disk is supported by frictionin the bore of the cap. The en porting element is formed of any suitab e.

material, such as celluloid preferably being more or less resilient, and 1s adapted to have the end 15 passed into the upper end of the hydrometer tube with the loop thereon so formed as to press against the sides of the tube and support the tube b friction at the proper elevation. The otj'er end of the element is attached tothe plugin anysuitable manner; I' {refer to slip it overthe bafile diskas'indicated, the descending portion passing through the recess 16 which. is provided, in such baffles, for the pur oseof forming a vent for escaping gases. lso," in order to prevent the tube from inadvertently slipping ofi from theisupport-ing' element I provide an inwardly rejecting flange 17 on the upper end of the tube against which the upper end of the loop will strike and thus'prevent the tube from passing oil of the loop. i

. y .5 When so suspended the tube can be ad .justed as to its elevation, as the resiliency of the loop will hold it in any adjustable p'osition'; and it may be set so as to reach down- 1- wardiy into the liquid substantially to the upper edge of the plates; Any suitable hy drometer may be used; but I prefer the one I indicated which comprises the tiibe 10 withthe lower end closedand preferably en larged, as indicated. An opening 18 is? formed a short. distance abovethe lower end of the tube. In the tube are placed one or w more hydromet'ric units, These are preferably what are calledin the trade Chaslyn balls which have a density slightly less than the density .of the-liquid when fully char ed, I 1 so that the balls will float onthe liqui in the bulb when the tube is removed from the: battery providing the battery is sufiiciently. charged; and the elevation of theliquid'in .80 the bulb will indicate the elevation of the I liquid in the container with refereno'eto'the- Plates; I

It will thus be seen that'I have provided means which may be very conveniently used for determining the amount of charge of the. battery and also the amount of distilled water, if any, that, is vneeded'to replace the evaporated water. Any inspection of an ordinary storage battery in an opaque container requiresthe removal of the vent cap, and, withmy device, this operation is all that is necessary in order to fully. determine the condition of the battery asthe hydrometer is removed with the cap and may be easily inand the Wei ht of the arm 23 tends to tilt the tube somew at and cause more friction between the tube and the suspending element 24 so as to insure holding the tube in its adjusted position.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modified form of the suspending element. This element or hook 25 has corrugations on the suspending arm which coact with the lip 26 inthe tube, and hold the tube more firmly in its adjusted position.

Fi 5 shows a further modification in whic the loop 28 of the tube is forced down into the bulb 29 for the maximum elevation of the tube. The tube, however, may be lowered and held in adjusted positions by friction of the loop and tube.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a storage battery a vent plug in combination with a hydrometer, said plug having a detachable plate mounted therein, and friction means said hydrometer from said plate.

2. In a storage battery a vent plug in combination with a hydrometer, said plug having a detachable plate mounted therein, and suspending means comprising a resilient strip adapted to be connected to said plate and to be resiliently and slidably connected to said hydrometer.

3. In a storage battery a vent plug in combination with a hydrometer, said plug having a detachable late mounted therein, said hydrometer being suspended for adjustable elevations on said plate, said hydrometer having a tubular open end, suspending means fixed to said plate with one end projecting into said tubular end, and resilient means fixed to said end and tending to press against the sides of the tubular member.

4. In a container for holding liquids, a vent cap, a hydrometer, a hook for supporting said hydrometer, and means associated with said cap for supporting said hook, said hook being adapted to be hooked onto said means.

5. In a container for holding liquids, a vent cap, a supporting element associated with said cap, a strip bent to form a hook on each end, said strip being adapted to be detachably hooked onto said supporting element by one hook, and a hydrometer supported by the other hook on said strip.

6. In a. container for holding liquids, a vent cap, a supporting element attached to said cap, a hydrometer support, said support comprising a vertical strip of celluloid bent to form a hook on one end, and having the other end bent and passing into and supporting said hydrometer, said hook being adapted to be hooked onto said element.

7. In a container for holding liquids, a vent cap, a supporting element attached to said cap, a hydrometer support adapted to be detachably hooked onto said element, said orv adjustably suspending hydrometer having one end tubular, said support comprising a strip of resilient material having a hook on each end, one end being hooked onto said element and the other end passing into said tubular end, and being hooked onto said hydrometer.

8. In a container for holding liquids, a

vent cap, a supporting element attached to hand.

CHARLES E. LINEBARGER. 

